CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chadwick Boseman, the actor known for playing the iconic character T’Challa in Black Panther, died Friday after battling colon cancer.

Boseman was a South Carolina native who made a name for himself playing Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get on Up, but his most memorable role is Black Panther.

Comic book fans say the representation of a Black superhero in a major motion picture has been a source of inspiration.

Shelton Drum owns Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find comic book store in Charlotte and says new customers have been coming in to buy Black Panther comics since the movie was first announced to learn more about the legend.

“The appreciation of the movie was universal, and yes we did see some new customers. But, what’s really amazing was the percentage of kids of all races really embracing the Black Panther and wearing his costume and his mask,” Drum says.

Boseman was 43 when he died and he had been struggling with colon cancer since 2016.